World War II Honoree

Francis A. D'Andraia

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Medford, Massachusetts

Honored By

Francis, Donald & Karen

Relationship

Children

ACTIVE SERVICE DATES WITH THE U.S. ARMY, JANUARY 6, 1941 TO SEPTEMBER 11, 1945. SERVED WITH THE 3RD BATTALION, 67TH ARMORED REGIMENT, COMPANY G, 2ND ARMORED DIVISION. FOUGHT IN NORTH AFRICA, ITALY, FRANCE, GERMANY, AND BELGIUM. AWARDED SILVER STAR FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION (GELA, SICILY), PURPLE HEART FOR MERIT (GERMANY), BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER FOR THE PURPLE HEART (BELGIUM), FOURRAGERE WITH COLORS OF THE BELGIUM CROIX DE GUERRE, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (FOR PARTICIPATION WITH 3RD BATTALION, 67TH ARMORED REGIMENT, IN PIERCING AND BREAKING THE GERMAN SIEGFRIED LINE OCTOBER 4, 1944 TO OCTOBER 6, 1944) AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. IN EARLY DECEMBER 1944, SHORTLY BEFORE THE BATTLE OF BULGE, HE WAS BADLY WOUNDED BY SHRAPNEL WHEN A GERMAN SHELL HIT HIS TANK. HE WAS EVACUATED FROM THE FRONT AND WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO BEING HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE ON SEPTEMBER 11, 1945.